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an•chor

Pronunciation: (ang'kur),
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[key]—n.1. any of various devices dropped by a chain, cable, or rope to the bottom of a body of water for preventing or restricting the motion of a vessel or other floating object, typically having broad, hooklike arms that bury themselves in the bottom to provide a firm hold.
2. any similar device for holding fast or checking motion: an anchor of stones.3. any device for securing a suspension or cantilever bridge at either end.
4. any of various devices, as a metal tie, for binding one part of a structure to another.
5. a person or thing that can be relied on for support, stability, or security; mainstay: Hope was his only anchor.6. Radio and Television.a person who is the main broadcaster on a program of news, sports, etc., and who usually also serves as coordinator of all participating broadcasters during the program; anchorman or anchorwoman; anchorperson.
7. Television.a program that attracts many viewers who are likely to stay tuned to the network for the programs that follow.
8. Slang.automotive brakes.
9. Mil.a key position in defense lines.
10. Also,anchorman.Sports.a. the person on a team, esp. a relay team, who competes last.
b. the person farthest to the rear on a tug-of-war team.
11. at anchor, held in place by an anchor: The luxury liner is at anchor in the harbor.12. drag anchor, (of a vessel) to move with a current or wind because an anchor has failed to hold.
13. drop anchor, to anchor a vessel: They dropped anchor in a bay to escape the storm.14. weigh anchor, to raise the anchor: We will weigh anchor at dawn.

—v.t.1. to hold fast by an anchor.
2. to fix or fasten; affix firmly: The button was anchored to the cloth with heavy thread.3. to act or serve as an anchor for: He anchored the evening news.

—v.i.1. to drop anchor; lie or ride at anchor: The ship anchored at dawn.2. to keep hold or be firmly fixed: The insect anchored fast to its prey.3. Sports,Radio and Television.to act or serve as an anchor.